San Benito County Community Action Agency Board offering AC Units for low-income households

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION-TV)- With the extreme heat inland, the San Benito County Community Action Board is loaning out portable AC units without costs.

It's on a first-come, first serve basis.

The program hopes to help those who need it most. People like the elderly with health conditions or low-income households.

There are 51 portable ACs, and the agency has already given out a few of them.

For longtime Hollister resident Lucy Rodriguez, the heat has been unbearable. She's been doing her best to stay cool, but it’s been difficult since she also has underlying health conditions.

Rodriguez has also been waiting on a kidney donation and is also diabetic. She described the heat as miserable.“I have been having to deal with a lot of water,” said Rodrigues, “just being in my house with everything closed, all my drapes.”When her daughter told her about the chance to get some relief, she rushed down here to grab an application.

Trino Serrano is a San Benito County Community Action Board case worker and has seen how people need this service.

“The heat wave, unfortunately, is getting drastic out there,” said Serrano. “For a family to come in, let us know they have someone who is medically vulnerable or they have not been able to stay cool for the past two nights; I think we're grateful to have this opportunity.”

People looking to get those portable AC units to need to apply for them. They can either visit the Community Service and Workforce Development Building and fill out an application in person or do it online.

“Our main goal is to reduce the risk of exposure for the high heat,” said Enrique Arreola, “It's a resource we hope to make available to those who are most in need.”

If Rodriguez gets approved for the portable AC unit, it will make the hot weather a little more bearable.

“That way, I could be more relaxed and not be so stressed out about sweating,” said Rodriguez. “I was really sweating, so this would really help me out.”

The Community Action Board said it's seen a considerable need for portable ACs during the summer months. The agency can also request generators and portable heaters from the state during other extreme weather events.

The Community Action Board also said it's been seeing a lot of migrant center families requesting the portable ACs.

Click here to apply and see if you qualify for the portable AC units.